RIVERSIDE – A distraught man claiming to be armed with a gun was safely detained after causing a ruckus on Tuesday evening at the Riverside Community Hospital’s DeAnza Center.

At around 6:01 p.m. officers responded to the location in the 4400 block of Magnolia Avenue regarding the distraught man who allegedly approached security guards and began chasing them.

The suspect fled into the building occupied by two employees, but security personnel were unable to locate him. When officers arrived they were able to search the building and locate the subject who was locked in a bathroom. He told officers that he was armed and would shoot them if they attempted to open the door of the bathroom. The location was secured and the employees and security were evacuated from the building.

“Officers assigned to the Emergency Negotiations Team responded to assist,” said Riverside Police officials. “Through their communications, they were able to convince the subject to step out of the bathroom and surrender.” The subject was taken into custody and was found to be unarmed. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation.